The FA showed its solidarity with the Jewish community in our Chanukah celebration at Wembley Stadium on Monday 15 December 2025.
Over 300 people were in attendance at the Faith and Football event. It followed on from the terror attack earlier that day on Bondi Beach in Australia and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis spoke of the FA’s support after lighting the first candle of the Chanukah menorah pitchside followed by Rabbi Josh Levy, co-lead of Progressive Judaism, as Maoz Tzur was recited following the event to celebrate Chanukah.
"Together with Jewish people around the world, nothing will deter us from coming out in great numbers as we do this evening, and people are doing at other events right now,” he told the audience at Wembley, which included Lord John Mann, the government’s advisor on antisemitism and a member of the FA’s taskforce on tackling the issue in the UK.
“The shamash is the candle we use to kindle the other candles. It shares its light with the other candles. The FA is one of the great English shamashes because it takes its light and shares it with the lives of tens of thousands of women, men and girls and boys.
“Not just enhancing the way they play football, but also allowing them to grow and develop as responsible citizens with so many phenomenal initiatives. The FA is sharing the light of health and fitness, decency and responsibility within our society."
Prior to the lighting of the menorah, the event kicked-off with presenter Olivia Wayne welcoming guests to Wembley and included Chanukah video greetings from FA chair Debbie Hewitt MBE and England stars including Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Ollie Watkins and Chloe Kelly.
A number of showcases involving Jewish people in football followed, with Olivia chatting to England men’s blind player Sam Meisel, who was part of the Para Lions squad to win gold at the IBSA Nations Cup in India this year. He spoke of his pride in representing England, as well as the opportunities provided for Jewish sportspeople by Maccabi GB, partners at the event along with the Jewish News publication.
The audience also heard from grassroots participants in Dalia Bermant from HMH U16s and Russell Corin, club secretary at Hendon Utd while Jewish staff also from the FA also discussed their experiences working at Wembley, including creating a special kippah emblazoned with the FA logo for the occasion.
Former Arsenal youngster and England MU17s player Austin Lipman, who is now first-team captain at London Lions, Britain’s highest-ranking team with Jewish heritage, also spoke alongside Lee Glassar, board director at the club.
Jewish singer and musician Rafi Sandford also provided musical entertainment and supported prayer time.
The event was supported by Maccabi GB and Jewish News alongside Mischcon De Raya and Dangoor Education, with food provided by 1070 Kitchen.
The FA’s head of diversity and inclusion strategic programmes Dal Singh Darroch, who was also presented with Maccabi GB’s Jewish Sports Award for 2025 on the night, added his condolences to the Jewish community following the earlier events of the day.
“No one should have to feel unsafe because of who they are and no one should have to carry this burden alone,” he said.
“In football, we talk often about being a team, and right now that means supporting our Jewish teammates, colleagues and friends.
“The football family stands with you firmly and visibly against antisemitism, violence and fear."
